Hello All
A large, eager group started the day at the Presqu'ile lighthouse on a
beautiful, late-summer morning. A circulating songbird flock proved challenging
to observe but did offer good looks at Northern Parulas, Blackpoll and
Blackburnian Warblers. We eventually tallied 13 warbler species. A couple of
Philadelphia Vireos stood out among four vireo species seen in the same cluster
of willows.
After a couple of circuits of the foliage-rich lighthouse area, we headed
for Owen Point where numerous shorebirds were visible at close range and
offered great looks for those wanting to compare and contrast the various
species. All five "peep" species were seen with the last being a dandy juvenile
Western Sandpiper seen in the rain on our second visit to the point. The latter
bird was a lifer for several group members. Throughout, a single juvenile Red
Knot foraged amidst a squadron of earth-moving Ruddy Turnstones, while juvenile
Black-bellied and American Golden Plovers ocassionally offered brief glimpses
as they foraged on the gravel bar and Gull Island.
The rains came after lunch and made songbird viewing more difficult. All
was forgotten, however, when we visited "Tiny" Lee at the Brighton water
polishing ponds where six new shorebird species waded in close proximity to one
another and brought our shorebird total up to 20 species. Good comparisons were
again available including the three Tringa species (the yellowlegs as well as
Solitary Sandpipers) in a single field of view and two Stilt Sandpipers feeding
nearby Lesser Yellowlegs and Short-billed Dowitchers. Marsh Wrens were calling
in the cattails and several group members saw both Virginia Rail and Sora, thus
bringing our species total to 90.
We would like to thank all group members for their enthusiasm and
perserverance, particularly when the rains came. We hope to see you all next
year.
Don and Ian Shanahan
Brighton
613 475 3502
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